Contraband Review

Contraband Review

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi, J.K Simmons
Director: Baltasar Guzikowski
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Rated: MA
Running Time: 109 minutes

Synopsis: Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of Contraband, a fast-paced thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he'll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling-full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs-where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.

Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best- running contraband-to settle Andy's debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), for one final run to Panama and back, hoping to return with millions in counterfeit bills.

Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before his wife, Kate (Kate Beckinsale), and sons become their target.

Verdict: Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) has chosen to live the quiet life as a family man and genuine business owner, over a previous life of smuggling and law-breaking, for his wife (Kate Beckinsale) and two sons. But when his wife's brother, Andy, is forced to dump a package of cocaine when the cargo ship he is using to traffic is stopped by customs, Chris quickly finds himself returning to his old ways to pay off Andy's dept.

As charismatic Chris throws himself into the action and suspense of the underworld the audience is engaged by a strong cast producing an absorbing tale of solid action and fast-paced suspenseful chaos and tension.

Baltasar Guzikowski provides an energetic effect to the film with many sharp twists which is difficult in a film with a familiar synopsis, that of a retired criminal forced back into the 'game' to finish the last job; Contraband is not your average action thriller but something far more intelligent and creditable.
Rating: ****

Brooke Hunter

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012
For more information see: www.Femail.com.au/contraband-production